Link for knitting machine chains



April 9, 1946.

c. F. BARNES 2,397,939

LINK FOR KNITTING MACHINE CHAINS Filed Dec. 27, 1944 Inventor Cfzar/es F. fiarnies,

Patented Apr. 9, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LINK FOR KNITTING MACHINE, CHAINS Charles F. Barnes, Marion, N. '0.

Application December 27, 1944, Serial No. 569,973

3 Claims.

link for incorporation in the chain, which link is possessed of resultful accomplishments.

In carrying out the principles of the instant invention, using the same or conventional chain,"

less three full links and incorporating therein two improved links, that is, links perfected in accord-' ance with my idea, it becomes possible with the same equipment, that is standard equipment,-to

turn out more stockings and to, at the same time,

conserve the use of carded cotton yarn.

Another object has to do with an improved chain link which is such as to make it possible to take four full courses out of each top, whereas with the present link andthe chain arrangement, the operator cannot take out less than a full link or twelve full courses.

' Another object of the invention has to do with the adoption and use of an especially designed and improved chain link for knitting machines which appreciably reduces needless idling.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved chain link which properly protects and shields the needles in a manner to be here,- inafter set forth. j

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and accompanying illustrative drawing.

In the drawing, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is atop plan view of a portion of a knitting machine chain having the improved especially fashioned and designed extra production link embodied therein.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view assembly seen in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side view showing the improved link in the next adjacent stock or standard link with which it is here connected. v

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the improved link per se.

Referring now to the drawing by distinguishing reference numerals, it will be seen that the series of five links shown comprise links 5, 5, 1, 8 and 9. The link 5 is a plain rectangular conventional element and has the customary interconnecting and hinging book [0 at one end. The link 7 (We will skip the improved link 6 for the moment) comprises the usual stock structure. that is, the link proper ll having a hook l2 and a of the link longitudinal upstanding full length flange l3 on one side. The next adjacent link 8 is characterized by a flange IS on one side, which corresponds to the flange on the link I, and an upstanding tooth M on the opposite side. The link 9 has a flange l3-and corresponds to the link I, all of said links being hooked together, as is customary.

Referring now to Figure 4' which details the improved link 6, it will be seen that it is characteri'zed by the usual rectangular frame I5 having a hook I6 at one end. The main part is the integral upstanding flange I! whose main or body area is of a height corresponding to the'height of the flanges I 3 onthe other links 1, 8 and 9. However, one end is notched to provide a horizontal step I8 and a substantially forty-five degree angular declivity or inclined edge l9. The left-hand end of the flange I'I projects well beyond the adjacent end 20 of the link l5 proper. This provides an over-hanging extension or lug 2| whose under side is beveled inwardly and downwardly toward said part 20, as indicated at the point 22. This over-hanging lug coacts with the non-flanged side of the next or adjacent link I.

In practice, the improved link 6 is interposed between a plain link 5 and a single-flanged link I, the latter having its flange l3 on a side opposite to the improved flange I! on the improved link 6. There are no flanges on the link 5.

It is important to consider the fact that this link 6 is both a cutout link and a make-up link combined. Heretofore the style of chain under consideration has been using two links for these purposes, one link of the cutout and one link for the make-up. With a drop-off between the cutout link and the make-up link, and a space between the two links equal to twelve revolutions the machine must turn after it cuts out the stocking before it can start on the'make-up of the next stocking, the machine is running empty (or idling). Link #6 displaces both the old cutout link and the old make-up link, thereby eliminating one full link from the chain. This is equal'to twelve revolutions of the machine.

The notch (I 8 and I9) is so formed to allow the machine to make the same looper clip as before and this is essential to the morale and production of looping machine operators. The surface It! is so out as to allow the chain pawl plate to rise thereon and come snug against surface I!) so that on the next stroke of the chain pawl; the chain pawl plate can start from l8 and climb surface [9 and come to rest on top of the link. This is where the machine gets the cutout kick. As there is no drop off between the cutout kick and the make-up kick, the first half of the makeup'kick comes on the center top surface of the link, and the last half comes on the topand end of the flange 2!. From the top of surface Hi to the end of flange 2| is a distance representing three full strokes of the chain pawl, which is required to accomplish the cutout kick and the about in this manner.

2 make-up kick. As there is no drop off between the cutout kick and the first half of the make-up kick, extension '2! isrequired to get the second half of the make-up kick as this must come immediately after the first half.- Surface 22 is so designed that whenthe chainmakes the inside,

turn on the center chain sprocket wheel, said surface 22 will not come in contact with surface frame II on link I in Figure 2, thereb causing the chain to bind and in most cases to stall. This can readily be seen by reversing the links in, Figure 3 so that they turn inward instead of out-' To explain further the production increase, by

combining the old style cutout and make-up links into the one. double purpose link #6, I have completely eliminated one full link from each chain,

and by having no drop off between the cutout kick, and the make-up'kick, I have reduced the idling time from twelve revolutions to four. revolutions. As the idling is done on slow speed, this also reduces the time that the machine must stay on slow speed, and allows the machine to change to high speed eight revolutions much more quickly.

To make a mans half-hose on a Scott & Williams 200 needle, 3% inch cylinder, H. H. automatic knitting machine running at 195 R. P, M. with the chain and links now being used, there is involved a chain characterized by 12 links in top, 12 links, in leg, 13 links in heel, 14 links in foot, and 15 links in toe (2links in looper clip). This covers a total of 222punches to each stocking, or a total of 888 revolutions for each stocking, making 100 stockings in seven hours, 39 /2 minutes, using 14 ounces, and of an ounce. in the tops of 100 stockings making the tops out of 18/1 carded cotton yarn.

To make this same, stocking on the same machine running at the-same speed, using the same chain, less three full links, plus a pair of improved links 6, the same machine will turn out 102 stockings in seven hours and 39 /2 minutes and one full top on the 103rd stocking. This makes a full gain of two stockings and a full top on the 103rd stocking, and consumes 70/100 of an ounce less yarn in the 103 tops. A chain employing my improvement cuts out four full courses of yarn in each top.

With two of these improved links, I can take four full courses out of each top. With the present chain and links, we cannot take out less than V a full link or twelve full courses.

These improved links also protect the needles by allowing the machine to take in, or use yarn on eight revolutions instead of twelve revolutions in making a full stocking Finally, myimproved link isadaptable to and can be used onany. knitting machine, using the same size chain regardlessof size of cylinder or the number of needles.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain 1. In a chain link assemblage of the class described, this for incorporation in a knitting chain applicable to automatic knitting machines, a group of five links, each link embodying a substantially rectangular frame and said frames being provided at proper ends with hooks for hingedly and detachably connecting the respective :frames of all of the links together, the link at one end being plain and without flanges, the link at the opposite end being provided on one side with a flange, the next adjacent link being provided with a flange in alignment with the firstnamed flange, this on one, side, and a toothed flange parallel to the companion flange, this on the other side, the next inner link being provided with a flange on the same side as the previous link, and a fifth link-interposed between the firstnamed link and the last-named link and comprising a frame; this providedon one side with an upstanding vertical flange, this flange being on that side opposite to the flanges on the several flanged links referred'to, and having an extension providing a lug and said lug over-hangingand being normally spaced from the body of the next adjacent link.

2. In a knitting machine chain of the class described, a plain hook-equipped link, a second link also hook-equipped and provided on one side with a substantially rectangular flange of a length commensurate with the length of the link, and a third link interposed between and hingedly and detachably connected with the first-named links, this being provided with a vertical flange, the flange being located on a longitudinal side opposite to that provided on said second-named link, and the flange on said third link being provided with an extending lug, the lug overlying, in spaced relation, an adjacent portion of the second-named link.

3. As component parts of a knitting machine chain of the class described, a pair of links, each link including a rectangular frame portion of conventional form provided with a customary interconnecting and hinging hook, one of said links being provided on one side with a right-angularlydisposed integral flange, said flange being of a length commensurate with the frame, the second link being provided with a flange and said flange being on a side opposite tothe side on which the first-named flange is mounted, said flanges being in spaced parallelism to each other, the flange on the second-named link being notched to provide a stepped formation at one end, the opposite end being provided-with an extension and said extension being such as to project beyond the adjacent .end member of the frame over the longitudinal side member of the frame of the, firstnamed link. 5

. CHARLES F. BARNES. 

